It was the lads from the North who have been celebrating on Friday as they completed as slim victors on this yr’s Wonderful Losers recreation.
Almost 40 males from up and down the MAN v FAT neighborhood got here collectively on the house of Leyton Orient for the 2025 fixture, with Steve Coppell and Brian McDermott within the dugouts to information the lads via their afternoon.
Everybody taking part had misplaced no less than 30% of their body weight, with seven of the blokes concerned having surpassed 40% misplaced throughout their time with MAN v FAT.
Having been launched to one another in crew WhatsApp teams main as much as the massive match, there was already a robust crew spirit for the 2 sides forward of kick-off and that bond confirmed on the pitch too, with a fluid and aggressive 90 minutes with each groups enjoying some spectacular soccer.
The primary three targets within the recreation all got here from distance, as the standard of finishes matched the play that preceded it.
Isle of Wight’s Ray Richardson had already cannoned a shot again off the put up early within the recreation earlier than the impasse was damaged on the half hour mark by Bournemouth’s Matt Waterman, who let fly from exterior of the field to make it 1-0.
The South’s lead was to final simply 4 minutes as one other lengthy vary effort squared issues up.
Warrington’s Harrison Devine, who was to be named XIs Participant of the Yr on the MAN v FAT Awards the following day, took purpose and noticed his shot squirm house previous the keeper.
The North virtually took the lead earlier than half time as Dylan Painter, who additionally picked up silverware on Saturday as 2025’s Wonderful Loser was denied by a unbelievable save.
And the South obtained their noses in entrance simply after half time as Richardson made up for his earlier disappointment by slotting house to make it 2-1 on 48 minutes.
The 2 groups traded probabilities and durations of dominance, nevertheless it appeared just like the victory would possibly go to McDermott’s southern gamers.
The North have been to not be denied, although, and shocked their opponents with a quickfire double simply after the 80 minute mark.
First Bury’s Terry Smith whipped in a ball from the suitable that caught out the keeper to degree issues up, earlier than Josh Heys from Bolton grabbed a winner with six minutes to go.
Coppell’s males then held agency for the rest of the sport to make sure that bragging rights went to the northern boys!
Because of all that participated within the recreation, the family and friends that attended and to Leyton Orient for internet hosting us.
